Greetings All, I have made plans to spend a couple of days in the Cape Ann area over the Memorial Day Weekend (I usually bypass this area on my way to Maine, but have decided to give it a stopover). We will be staying in Rockport, Mass. I have read that the area has some great paddling. The AMC Quiet Water Guide describes the Essex River and the marshes as some of the best canoeing in the region. My partner and I will have kayaks with us, and would like to do some paddling. If anyone has any suggestions for put-ins, areas to see or avoid, etc., I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance. Mark L P.S. To those who responded privately to my question about the Boundary Waters region, I had wanted to respond to thank each of you, but accidentally deleted all my past emails a couple weeks ago. So, in case I missed you before that happened, please accept my thanks. The information was invaluable, and the area is definitely on my list to visit -- during the right season, and with plenty of bug protection <g>. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Thu, 18 May 2000, Sailboat Restorations, Inc. wrote: > I have made plans to spend a couple of days in the Cape Ann area over the > Memorial Day Weekend (I usually bypass this area on my way to Maine, but > have decided to give it a stopover). We will be staying in Rockport, Mass. In Rockport itself you can probably launch from right downtown. I think, but I'm not certain, there's access to the water right at Bear Neck. In Gloucester an easy launch is along the beach in front of the statue of the sea captain. Annisquam, the northwest section of Cape Ann, is real pretty but parking is tough, most parking is for residents only, between about 9am and 5pm (and they actively ticket). To paddle in Annisquam I would probably park at the Gloucester High School and paddle north out the Annisquam river, using the ramp hidden behind the school. For sheltered paddling close to Rockport this would be my first choice. On route 128 before you get to the Annisquam bridge, there appears to be a pull off on the right where you can park and launch at higher tides. I haven't tried this but have seen people launching there. Someone else on the list may have better launch sites to the south, I don't paddle the stretch between Danvers and Gloucester much during the summer. Parking is frequently restricted during the summer. Paddling around Misery Island is nice, Misery is off Manchester. I don't know where to park during the summer though. It's a straight shot from Misery over to Marblehead. There are tons of sailboats between Manchester and Marblehead, you are almost guaranteed to see at least one race going on. > I have read that the area has some great paddling. The AMC Quiet Water > Guide describes the Essex River and the marshes as some of the best > canoeing in the region. I personally love paddling the Essex river basin, I paddled there this past Saturday. The easiest launch site is from right in downtown Essex at the public ramp next to ERBA (Essex River Basin Adventures, a kayak tour company). In the north section of Essex basin is Hog Island, the film The Crucible was filmed there a few years back. There are a couple of interesting old houses (circa 1650 sort of places) on Hog Island. Hog island is owned by the Trustees of Reservations. There may be a small fee for picnicing on the island if a caretaker comes by. Beyond Hog island is the back side of the barrier beach. A loop around Essex basin would probably be 10 or 12 miles. As you go North from Essex I have more launch sites if anyone is interested. kirk *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Mark, These are the stomping grounds of North Shore Paddlers Network (NSPN.org) This is the club that I belong to, and I can't recommend them more highly. There are many put-in directions and maps available on their website. With any luck you can join us for a club paddle. It's a great area! You can post to their message board for more specific info. They are a great group of paddlers. I'm am further north (in NH) and so don't know the area as well as others in the club. Good Luck !! Jed Luby *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Jed, Thank you -- it is a great web site and looks like a great group. The put-in info is perfect. We're looking forward to the trip, although the weather looks very ugly for this weekend :( Mark > Hi Mark, > These are the stomping grounds of North Shore Paddlers Network (NSPN.org) > This is the club that I belong to, and I can't recommend them more highly. [snip] *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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